NovelBookChapter 453: Callie wilted under Chelsea's stern warning.
"I understand, Aunt Chelsea." Though Chelsea recognized the lingering displeasure in Callie's tone, the urgent need to counsel Corrine took precedence.
Upon Corrine's return to the banquet hall, Moses and Zack naturally gravitated toward her. Their small group settled in the resting area, quickly becoming the focal point for the other guests.
Despite sharing the sphysical space aboard the cruise, an invisible barrier separated their intimate circle from the rest of the attendees. The onlookers' gazes on Corrine carried a potent mixture of envy, resentment, and raw jealousy, none more so than Leah's.
Follow on NovᴇlEnglish.nᴇtLeah's mind churned with bitter incomprehension at Corrine's apparent hold over Nate. She had anticipated that Corrine's exile from the Ashton family would finally provide the opportunity to diminish her inherent grace and dignity. Instead, Corrine had emerged more radiant than ever.
The thought burned- how dare this woman of humble origins claim such privilege? How dare she eclipse the glory Leah believed was rightfully hers? Her fingers tightened around her wine glass as she lowered her face to conceal the venom in her gaze.
"Bruce must be blind," Karina observed coolly, swirling her wine. Corrine's eyebrow lifted slightly as she followed Karina's gaze to Leah's sullen countenance.
Catching Corrine's attention, Leah masked her hostility with a gentle smile, raising her glass in distant acknowledgment.
Corrine's deliberate dismissal of the gesture struck like a physical blow, as she simply resumed her conversation with her companions. Leah's fingers clenched around the glass, her teeth grinding together in frustration.
Rita's arrival provided a welcdistraction for Leah, whose eyes glinted with calculation.
"Rita, where have you been hiding? I've been searching everywhere." Rita flinched almost imperceptibly, withdrawing from Leah's touch.
"Just a slight stomach upset this evening,” she mumbled, the excuse transparent to anyone who knew her well. Though Leah recognized the evasion, she harbored neither curiosity nor concern about its cause.
"Still brooding over your brother's words?" Leah prompted.
Rita's quiet huff carried years of frustration.
Follow on Novᴇl-Onlinᴇ.cᴏm"He's becso consumed by corporate matters that he barely acknowledges my existence anymore." "Perhaps I have a solution," Leah purred, malice gleaming in her eyes.
Rita frowned slightly, suspicion flickering in her eyes.
"What exactly are you planning?"
Leah's expression remained calm, almost reassuring. The content is on O novelenglish.net!
"You know how much the Ashton family needs Mr. Archer's Mr. Archer'sinvestment. Bruce was just acting under pressure." Her voice was laced with subtle persuasion.
"Tonight is Mr. Archer's wedding anniversary celebration. What if we perform a duet? If we manage ton impressive impress them, securing the investment will be much easier, and Bruce won't have any reason to blyou anymore."
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